The Apple Watch Series 12 GPS + Cellular 46mm Smartwatch features the all-new Health Sensing System, which Apple says is the “most accurate” heart rate sensor available in a wearable. The new S11 chip enables higher-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability measurements, plus Audio Intelligence and a readiness score. With a built-in cellular connection, you can make and receive voice calls, send and receive texts, and stream music on your watch while your iPhone isn’t present.
An Apple Watch with cellular service and a redesigned heart sensor
As Apple’s latest daily-use smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 12 combines a range of health-tracking capabilities, along with fitness and safety features, in its 46mm casing. Features include an Always-On Retina display, the S11 chip, the Health Sensing System, a cellular connection, and up to 24 hours of battery life.
The Health Sensing System consists of redesigned optical and electrical heart sensors. These redesigned sensors include larger electrodes for ECG readings, photodiodes arranged in a ring, and enhanced green LEDs. All these components allow the watch to capture a heart rate reading every five seconds throughout the day and record heart rate variability as often as every five minutes.
These high-frequency measurements enable a new readiness score that helps you determine how prepared your body is for a challenging workout or whether you need a recovery day. The watch needs about one week of continuous wear to establish your baseline before providing readiness scores.
The S11 chip also enables additional Audio Intelligence features. For example, the watch can recognize alarms, doorbells, crying babies, and other sounds through Sound Recognition, and other functions such as Live Rewind and Siri Recap are coming later this year.
Apple is also modifying the Health app to provide personalized recommendations based on the data collected by your watch via Apple Intelligence. A new Longevity tab collects information on sleep, movement, and heart health so you can view your data and make actionable changes.
The Always-On Retina display can reach up to 2,000 nits of brightness, allowing for visibility in direct sunlight, and the wide-angle OLED panel provides optimal readability from nearly any angle when viewing your watch face.
Cellular connectivity means you don’t have to bring your phone to receive voice calls, texts, or emergency assistance while running errands. However, you need a separate carrier plan for cellular service. You can expect up to 24 hours of battery life with normal usage or up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. You can also use ECG, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, sleep tracking, and many different forms of workouts.
Choose from four color options for the aluminum Series 12: Space Gray, Black, Light Gold, or Dark Bronze, to make the smartwatch match your style. Gestures such as double-tap and wrist flick let you quickly answer calls, dismiss notifications, and use your Apple Watch while keeping a hand free.
The Apple Watch Series 12 GPS + Cellular 46mm Smartwatch offers some of the best heart-sensing capabilities available today. With this model, you have an opportunity to see deeper into your health information and connect to the internet using cellular service, so this is a good option if you prefer to not carry your iPhone with you at all times.
